CONWAY, S.C. – For the second time this season, sophomore Chelsy Kimes (Munster, Ind./Munster) registered a match-high 27 kills to lead the Coastal Carolina University volleyball team to a 3-1 (25-13, 25-21, 17-25, 25-20) win over High Point Saturday, Nov. 1 at Kimbel Arena. The win moves the Chanticleers to 20-8 overall and 9-3 in the Big South, while High Point drops to 23-5 on the season and 11-2 in the league.

 

The Chants took an early 9-4 lead in the first set. Coastal Carolina claimed the next seven points to take a commanding 16-4 advantage, including two service aces from sophomore Megan Bickford (Olathe, Kan./Olathe South) and two kills by senior Kristin Wolf (Andover, Kan./Andover Central). The Chants would use a few more two-point rallies to clinch the first set 25-13. The Chanticleers out-hit the Panthers .393 to .037 in the frame.

 

Another solid attack for the Chanticleers began the second set putting Coastal Carolina ahead 13-6.  The Panthers climbed back into the frame at 22-21, with Stephanie Wallin leading the charge recording three kills. Kimes put together three consecutive kills earning a 25-21 victory in the second frame.

 

Both teams took to the floor in the third set trading points to an 8-8 tie. The Panthers grabbed their first lead of the day, tallying four of the next five points to take a 12-9 lead. A series of errors by the Chanticleers gave the Panthers a 19-15 advantage. A four-point rally kept High Point alive as the Panthers took a 25-17 win in the third frame.

 

With both teams attacking well, a 9-9 score began the fourth set.  The Chanticleers pressed forward and grabbing a 20-13 advantage, but the Panthers continued to challenge cutting the deficit to 22-18. Kimes proved to be the difference again, tallying two more kills, including the match winner as the Chants defeated the Panthers 25-20.

 

Kimes led all players with 27 kills and hit a remarkable .575 in the match. The Panthers were led by Stephanie Wallin, who recorded 16 kills for her squad. Junior Meagan Tracey (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon) guided the Chants with 52 assists, while High Point's Kristina Taylor picked up 37 assists. Before today's match, Coastal Carolina’s last win over the Panthers came Nov. 4, 2005, when it blanked the Panthers 3-0.

 

Coastal Carolina will head out on its last road stretch of the season, starting with a non-conference match against UNC Wilmington Tuesday, Nov. 4. The match is slated for 6 p.m.